Fiona & Niall - The Abbey Hotel, Roscommon

A beautiful morning greeted us on Friday for Fiona & Niall's wedding, which was an extra relief to Fiona's Dad Michael, who had lovingly tended his garden for the occasion. He was bringing the Child of Prague in as I arrived, confident it had done its job. Indeed it had - the daffodils and primroses were in full glory in the Spring sunshine. Speaking of flowers, Niall's sister Jacinta did a great job on the bouquets and the Church with some really funky arrangements.

As the groom was nearby, I was able to visit both houses before the ceremony. Niall even had time to introduce me to his prize heifers - triplets from last year - though only two of them agreed to pose for the picture. The Sacred Heart Church in Roscommon Town provided a spectacular backdrop to the ceremony, and Simon Casey added to the atmosphere, with his singing from the pulpit resounding around the arches.

Then it was back to The Abbey Hotel for a warm welcome from Adrian & Elaine. We walked around to the old ruins where there was plenty of fun and games as we took a few shots of the bridal party. Thady Kavanagh was alongside me, filming discreetly. The top hats just had to be used as props, and I couldn't resist posting the comical shot of groomsman Ciaran below. He looks like one of Charles Dickens' villains. Niall looks more like Hugh Hefner in the next shot, surrounded by such a bevy of beauties - he looks pretty happy there. Who could blame him? Fiona & Niall are off to Mexico, California and Vegas for the next few weeks. Sounds like a fantastic way to round off the big day.

Martina & Andy

After a welcome break to catch up on last year's workflow, I was back out for Martina & Andy's wedding last Saturday. It always feels a little harder when you're out of the groove - a bit like a footballer not being quite match fit maybe. So you hope for things to go smoothly to help ease you back in. I couldn't have asked for more than I got. Sunshine, a beautiful bride and bridesmaids, a great location at Forbes Castle, and working alongside Eamon from Big Apple and Trish & Emma from The Landmark (which has just won the Best Wedding Venue in Connacht Title at the Weddings Online Awards).

Champagne is usually the drink of choice on a wedding day, but for Martina & Andy it definitely takes second place. The apple is mightier than the grape in Ballinalee, and it was Bulmers all round. They even have their "own-brand" version.

Andy is a carpenter, and his skilled work was all around in their beautiful new house, though I don't think he expected to have to put his toolbox to use on his wedding day. But after the ceremony, a pin popped out of the seam of Martina's stunning Maggie Sottero dress. A quick pincer movement from Andy soon sorted it out.

A stop at the sun-soaked Forbes Castle means that when they look at their album in years to come Martina & Andy will find it hard to believe they got married in February and not August. By the time we got back to the hotel, the rain had arrived, but at that stage it didn't matter. Everyone's spirits were high and a fine set of speeches rounded off the evening.

Out With The Old, In With The New - Mella & Noel

It has taken me too long to post my last wedding of 2011 - maybe I just didn't want to say goodbye to what was a great year of weddings. Despite the poor Summer, of the 50 weddings I photographed, not one was rained off, and we managed to get outside for some photographs every time. Having a even a few minutes outside makes such a difference, so here's hoping for the same in 2012.

So, as the curtain came down on 2011, it was all happening in Fenagh on New Year's Eve.  Mella's house was calm and relaxed, with only flowergirl Ellie showing any signs of giddieness. It was the same at the Church. I'd say it would take a lot to faze Noel, and his groomsmen followed suit - they were like Cool & The Gang.

After a quick champagne stop outside McKeon's in Kesh, it was on to The Landmark where we squeezed in a couple of quick shots at the Shannon before twilight closed in completely. I stayed for the speeches before slipping away to be home for midnight, by which time Busy Fingers had the wedding party in full swing.

Katie & Declan

Katie & Declan live in sunny Sydney, so a windy, wintry Westport isn't what they're used to these days. Not that it mattered, as they have very sunny dispositions, and this was a fun-filled day from start to finish.

It's fair to say that working in the west of Ireland, you come across a few grooms who aren't all that turned on by photography and don't enjoy "working the camera" in America's Next Top Model style. Declan definitely didn't fit into that category - he was very confortable strutting his stuff in front of the lens, while the beautiful Katie is always going to look good on camera.

We had a stop at Westport House en route to the hotel. The wind whipped Katie's veil off, but Declan was quick to the rescue. It's a beautiful location to take photographs; I'd love to get back there in 2012 on a warm Summer's day. Then we had a quick whistlestop tour of the winecellar and swimming pool in Knockranny House before dinner & dancing.